Abbotsford’s Lingerie League team hopes fans see beyond uniforms at Saturday …

Lingerie Football League president Mitch Mortaza met criticism head-on Thursday at a media day for B.C.’s newest pro sports team, the BC Angels, challenging naysayers to watch a game.

“You’ll walk away a fan,� he said as music blared over the speakers at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre and athletes clad in bikini-style uniforms posed for photos with footballs. Mortaza then went further, possibly hoping to stir up some controversy in the Bible Belt.

“I promise you, the same people who are in church Sunday will be here on Saturday night,� he said.

The Angels play their first game Saturday, only one of two home games before Abbotsford hosts the Lingerie Bowl between Canada’s two top teams Nov. 17.

Mortaza said he has high hopes for the LFL in Canada after three very successful years in the United States.

“I think initially what the women are wearing attracts some people, but once the game starts they literally forget it. If the football wasn’t good, we couldn’t sustain this league.�

Local business owners are also excited by the prospect of a new audience bringing in more revenue.

“Any time we can get community events taking place in Abbotsford to draw people in is a good thing,� said Paul Esposito, owner of Finnegan’s Pub, which sits adjacent to the venue where the Angels will play Saturday. He estimates the establishment will see a 25 per cent increase in business similar to what’s been experienced on Abbotsford Heat game nights.

Even so, Todd Martin, a pastor at Abbotsford’s Harvest Christian Fellowship and sociology professor at Trinity Western University, criticized the league’s portrayal of women.

“These are world class athletes and they don’t need to be pulling their shorts out of their butts to get attention,� he said. The pastor, however, clarified his opposition to the lingerie-clad league wasn’t just rooted in his personal beliefs but also from a sociological standpoint.

“If someone went to this and showed up (to church) on Sunday, it doesn’t mean they’re an evil, rotten person. I’m not against women, I’m not against lingerie and people who are interested in that,� he said. “What my concern is the way it’s packaged in that it’s demeaning to women, whether they acknowledge it or not.

“It buys into a system that women can be turned into sexual objects … and to me, that’s an issue that has to be addressed.â€�

The ever-controversial uniforms for the BC Angels include a sports bra with a laced bikini bottom and a garter. Shoulder pads are strapped over top, but don’t come much lower than the women’s collarbones.

Players interviewed by The Province Thursday had no problem with the uniform style.

“It’s bigger than I thought it would be,� said quarterback Mary Anne Hanson of Coquitlam.

An avid football fan and flag football player, pro football was “the next progression.�

The uniform is secondary to the competition and excitement of playing for a crowd, she said.

“Being in the best shape, you don’t worry so much about what’s on you or not on you.�

Mom of two Darnelle Bernemann said the uniform is “super comfy.�

“It’s nothing less than my bathing suit when I take my kids swimming,� said the Aldergrove guard.

Bernemann has always been athletic, but as a woman, never had an opportunity to play football.

“I just want to play football, and having all of this excitement is a bonus,� she said.

Coach Kevin Snell told the crowd of media he was impressed with the “drive� and talent his players have shown.

“I promised the girls that after their first game the fans will know that they are football players and athletes.�

A stadium employee watching Snell and the team running offensive plays from the sidelines commented to a friend: “I love my job today.�

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Grilled Tuna Steaks with Mango Herb Salsa

Summer makes us long for the grill. But by the end of the season, even our favourite burgers and dogs can feel a bit tired.

So to keep your grilling interesting, we came up with a speedy grilled tuna dish that packs tons of big, bold flavours. For our recipe, we used tuna steaks, which are thick, meaty pieces cut from the fish in the opposite direction than a fillet. You also could use salmon steaks, which often include the bone (which helps the flesh hold together on the grill). Swordfish also would work in this recipe.

We kept the prep simple with just a light coating of oil and a bit of salt and pepper. We wanted to let the flavour of the tuna shine. But to ensure we also could taste the fresh flavours of summer, we top the tuna with a cross between a fruit salsa and an herby chimichurri. It goes together in about 2 minutes with the help of a food processor.

GRILLED TUNA STEAKS WITH MANGO HERB SALSA

Start to finish: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

1/2 cup packed fresh parsley leaves

1/4 cup packed fresh oregano leaves

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 cloves garlic

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

2 mangos, peeled, pitted and diced

Salt and ground black pepper

Four 6-ounce tuna steaks

Heat the grill to high.

In a food processor, combine the parsley, oregano, mint, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the red wine vinegar, garlic, red pepper flakes, and the lemon zest and juice. Process until well chopped, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the mango and pulse once or twice to combine and lightly chop. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.

Rub the tuna steaks on all sides with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, then season them with salt and pepper. Grill the steaks for 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Serve topped with the salsa.

***

Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 420 calories; 170 calories from fat (40 per cent of total calories); 19 g fat (3.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 65 mg cholesterol; 21 g carbohydrate; 41 g protein; 3 g fiber; 200 mg sodium.

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